Idaho rejects ballot measure adding abortion access protection

A ballot measure that would legalize abortion access up until fetal viability in Idaho, reversing the state’s current ban, is projected to fail, according to Decision Desk HQ.

Voters rejected the ballot measure, which sought to establish protections around reproductive access in the Gem State up to viability, around 23 to 24 weeks, when the fetus is likely to survive outside the womb. Fifty-six percent of voters rejected the measure with over 95 percent of the vote reported as of early Wednesday.

The measure would have carved out an exemption for cases of medical emergency for any abortions performed after that period.

It also would have given people the right to make decisions around other aspects of reproductive care, including contraception and fertility treatment.

If approved, the initiative would repeal the state’s standing abortion restrictions , which make it a crime for physicians to perform the procedure except in very narrow cases pertaining to the life of the mother or instances of reported rape or incest.

The Supreme Court’s landmark decision in 2022 to overturn Roe v. Wade ushered in a patchwork of state laws that varied in how they regulated abortion access.

Democrats and reproductive groups have leaned into the issue , including the right to have an abortion, as a way of reversing the high court’s decision across the country — while also using it as a tool to gin up enthusiasm among their bases amid the election cycle.

Several states, including Missouri, Nevada and Virginia, are also teeing up ballot measures around reproductive access this fall.